“Who, for example?”
“Our cousin Katie. Why are you so suspicious and misanthropical? There is your friend Mr. Hardy again; what do you say to him?”
“Well, I think you may have hit on an exception. But I maintain the rule.”
“You look as if I ought to object. But I sha'n't. It is no business of mine if you choose to believe any such disagreeable thing about your fellow-creatures.”
“I don't believe anything worse about them than I do about myself. I know that I can't do it.”
“Well, I am very sorry for you.”
“But I don't think I am any worse than my neighbours.”
“I don't suppose you do. Who are your neighbors?”
“Shall I include you in the number?”
“Oh, by all means, if you like.”